chased leaders, reminder after 2nd, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
disputed lead, mistake 5th, driven and headed after 3 out, no chance with easy winner in clear 2nd before next
raced in last pair, struggling 6th, never dangerous, tailed off when pulled up before last
tracked leading pair, challenged on inside 6th, hit 3 out, soon led and clear, unchallenged after
disputed lead until driven and outpaced after 3 out, no chance with front pair from next
raced in last pair, struggling from 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before 5th
chased leaders, 4th and outpaced 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off
A competitive affair for the time of year and confidence about Ivan Vasilevich is likely to be high after he saw off a number of smart ex-Flat performers at Stratford. Both he and Bangor selling winner Ghaabesh have to give weight away to their rivals and on that basis, HARVEY'S HOPE has to be the call. Keith Reveley's six-year-old showed plenty of zest in a previous visit to the course in May and he was far from disgraced behind Cape Express. Nicky Henderson's charge has gone on to score at Hereford and Worcester so the form looks particularly solid. Destiny Of A Diva makes her debut over hurdles and a market check is advised about Reg Hollinshead's mare. She was useful sort over middle distances on the Flat and registered two successes at Leicester last year.
Ghaabesh (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Tracked leader until 5th and again after 6th, every chance 3 out, no extra last, 5th of 12, 13l behind Thegaygardener (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Ivan Vasilevich (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Made all, mistakes, challenged and blundered 2 out, pressed last, kept on gamely, won at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gs beating Reve De Nuit (11-0) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Agree To Differ (IRE) 28-1 (10-9) Pulled hard, held up, headway to chase leaders 3rd, weakened 5th, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Wiffy Chatsby (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Harvey's Hope 3-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, led 3 out, not fluent next, headed approaching last, kept on, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Cape Express (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in May.
Neverownup (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Chsd ldrs, 3rd 1/2way, rdn 4out, not qckn, ko bhnd, 5th of 9, 14l behind Jack Monday (11-4) at Castletown-Geoghegan 3m ire ptp gd in Apr.
Thatwasthepension (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, every chance approaching 2 out, weakened last, 8th of 12, 17l behind Thegaygardener (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Destiny Of A Diva 8-1 (9-10) In touch, tracked leaders over 3f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Raucous Behaviour (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov (flat).
